Italian Thermal Spas - Bathing With Mother Nature

Italy’s natural geology makes it one of the earth’s most natural health spas, famous names like Vesuvius, Stromboli and Etna all attest to the forces at work here. However, you will also find the more soothing, gentler aspects of volcanic activity too. Warm soothing mineral waters, curative sulphur pools and natural steam caves to rejuvenate the body.

Umbria in the centre of Italy is particularly blessed with the spa towns of San Gemini, Carsulae and Aquasparta. The Romans, who would sail up the Tiber to their holiday homes and sample the restful effects gained at the baths favoured these places. 

Tuscany too has its famous bathhouses; Terme di Saturnia and the Bagno di Petriolo were notorious destinations of the landed gentlemen during the Sixteenth century who were on the “Grand European Tour.” At Petriolo they would stay a couple of days and wash off the weeks of dust and grim, before once more heading south to Rome.  While at Pistoia, near Piza is the Grotta Giusti which along with its other treatments has a wonderful steam cave where you can simply sit and meditate.

One of the oldest bathhouses is in northern Italy at the Bagno di Bormio, parts date back to Roman times but the intriguing area here is the Grotto Sudatoria, the sweat cave. A natural thermal cave with heated water is approached down two subtly lit, cool tunnels that acclimatise your body to the humid temperature. It this natural sauna you can steam yourself and feel the detoxifying effects the experience gives you.

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